Chamber of Commerce membership

WASHINGTON -A national study by The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based market research firm, reveals important findings about how consumers and business owners perceive local chamber of commerce members. For example:

When consumers know that a business is a member of the local chamber they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it.

Consumers who are told that a business is a chamber member are 51% more likely to be highly aware of it and 57% more likely to think positively of its local reputation.

Consumers are 63% more likely to buy goods and services in the future from a company that they believe is a member of the local chamber of commerce.

The study also finds that when business decision makers believe a business is a chamber member, they are 37% more likely to think favorably of the business, 51% more likely to be highly aware of it, 58% more likely to think positively of it, and 59% more likely to buy goods and services from it. The study also reveals a positive perception for chambers:

Regarding the chamber’s impact on the local economy, 82% of the respondents believe that the local chamber of commerce helps create jobs and promotes local economic development.

The results of the Schapiro study are clear: Positive perception increases among consumers and business owners alike when a business is identified as a member of the local chamber of commerce.

Companies and individuals join chambers of commerce for various reason: marketing is typically the top reason.

However, some join to be part of the community, especially if you live in an unincorporated area of Houston, like I do.